At the A1 level, you should know that 'دفاع کردن' (defā' kardan) means 'to defend.' You might use it in very simple sentences about basic things, like a goalkeeper defending a goal in a game or a child defending a toy. It is a compound verb, which means it has two parts. The first part 'defā' stays the same, and the second part 'kardan' changes like other verbs you know (like 'kar kardan' or 'ghazā khordan' - though those are different types, the conjugation of 'kardan' is the key). You also need to learn the little word 'az' (from/of) which always comes before the thing you are defending. For example: 'Man az madreseh defā' mikonam' (I defend the school). It's a useful word for sports and basic discussions about friends.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'دفاع کردن' in more varied contexts. You should be able to talk about defending your friends, your family, or your opinions. You will notice that in Persian, we say 'defend FROM someone' using 'az'. You should practice using this verb in the past tense ('defā' kardam') and the present tense ('defā' mikonam'). At this level, you might also hear it in news headlines about countries defending themselves. It's important to differentiate it from 'mohāfezat kardan' (to protect). Remember, 'defā' kardan' usually means there is someone or something attacking or criticizing, and you are pushing back. You might also use it when talking about your favorite soccer team's defense.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'دفاع کردن' in academic and professional settings. One very common use at this level is 'دفاع از پایان‌نامه' (defending a thesis). You will also encounter it in legal contexts, such as a lawyer defending a client. You should be able to use more complex sentence structures, such as 'Bāyad az hagh-e khodat defā' koni' (You must defend your right). You should also understand the noun form 'defā' (defense) and how it's used in phrases like 'vaki-e modāfe' (defense lawyer). Your understanding of the word should expand to include metaphorical defense, like defending a lifestyle or a cultural value against outside influences.
At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the political and historical nuances of 'دفاع کردن.' In Iran, the term 'Defā-e Moghaddas' (The Holy Defense) refers specifically to the Iran-Iraq war, and you will see this in literature, history books, and public monuments. You should be able to use the verb in debates to defend complex arguments with supporting evidence. You will also start to see more sophisticated synonyms and related words like 'pāsdāri kardan' or 'hemāyat kardan' and know when 'defā' kardan' is the most precise choice. You should be able to discuss human rights, environmental protection, and international law using this verb and its associated vocabulary.
At the C1 level, your use of 'دفاع کردن' should be nuanced and precise. You will encounter it in high-level academic texts, philosophical treatises, and complex legal documents. You should understand how it functions in formal rhetoric and be able to use it to describe strategic maneuvers in both military and business contexts. You will also recognize its use in classical and modern Persian literature, where it might be used metaphorically to describe defending one's soul or honor. You should be able to analyze the difference between 'defā' (defense) and 'e'terāz' (protest) in a political context and use the verb to describe the actions of various social movements.
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'دفاع کردن.' you understand its etymological roots in Arabic and how its meaning has evolved within the Persian linguistic landscape. You can use it in highly formal speeches, legal arguments, and literary critiques with perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic appropriateness. You are aware of the subtle connotations it carries in different political climates and can use it to navigate complex social and professional situations. You can also appreciate and use idiomatic expressions and poetic metaphors involving defense and protection, demonstrating a deep cultural and linguistic immersion.

دفاع کردن في 30 ثانية

  • A vital Persian compound verb meaning 'to defend' or 'to protect' from harm, criticism, or danger in various contexts.
  • Grammatically requires the preposition 'az' (from/against) and conjugates the light verb 'kardan' to indicate tense and person.
  • Used in military, legal, academic (thesis defense), and everyday social situations to describe active safeguarding and resistance.
  • Distinguished from simple protection ('mohāfezat') by the implication of an active threat or challenge being repelled or answered.

The Persian compound verb دفاع کردن (defā' kardan) is a cornerstone of both formal and informal communication. At its most fundamental level, it translates to 'to defend' or 'to protect.' Derived from the Arabic root 'D-F-A,' which carries the connotation of repelling or pushing back, the Persian usage focuses on the act of safeguarding someone or something from an external threat, criticism, or physical harm. Unlike simple protection (mohafezat), 'defā' kardan' implies an active response to an existing or potential challenge. You will encounter this word in a vast array of contexts, ranging from the literal defense of a nation's borders in a military sense to the metaphorical defense of one's personal opinions during a heated debate at a dinner table.

Military Context
Soldiers defend the country against invaders. Here, it signifies physical resistance and strategic guarding of territory.
Academic Context
In Iranian universities, students must 'دفاع کردن' their thesis (pāyān-nāmeh). This involves justifying their research and answering critical questions from a committee.

سربازان با شجاعت از مرزهای کشور دفاع کردند.

Translation: The soldiers bravely defended the country's borders.

In social dynamics, this verb is used when standing up for a friend who is being gossiped about or protecting one's rights in a legal dispute. It requires the preposition از (az), which translates to 'from' or 'of' in English, but in this context, it functions as 'against' or 'for.' For example, you don't just 'defend a right'; you 'defend FROM a right' in the literal Persian structure.

وکیل از حقوق موکل خود در دادگاه دفاع کرد.

Translation: The lawyer defended his client's rights in court.
Sports Context
In football or basketball, the team that is not in possession of the ball is 'defending' their goal. Commentators frequently use this verb during match analysis.

تیم ما در نیمه دوم خیلی خوب دفاع کرد.

Translation: Our team defended very well in the second half.

او همیشه از عقایدش دفاع می‌کند.

Translation: He always defends his beliefs.

آیا می‌توانی از این نظریه دفاع کنی؟

Translation: Can you defend this theory?

Using دفاع کردن correctly requires understanding its status as a compound verb. In Persian, compound verbs consist of a non-verbal element (in this case, the noun 'دفاع' meaning defense) and a light verb (here, 'کردن' meaning to do/make). When conjugating this verb, only the 'kardan' part changes. For example, 'I defend' is 'defā' mikonam,' and 'They defended' is 'defā' kardand.' The non-verbal part 'defā' remains static.

Sentence Structure
[Subject] + [Preposition: از] + [Object] + [defā' kardan]. Unlike English where the object follows the verb, in Persian, the object usually comes before the verb, preceded by 'az'.

من از دوستم دفاع کردم.

Translation: I defended my friend.

The verb is versatile across tenses. In the future tense, you would say 'defā' khāham kard' (I will defend). In the present continuous, 'dāram defā' mikonam' (I am defending). It is essential to master the preposition 'az' because omitting it or using another preposition like 'rā' (the direct object marker) is a common mistake for English speakers.

ما باید از محیط زیست دفاع کنیم.

Translation: We must defend the environment.
Negative Form
To negate the verb, add 'na' to the light verb: 'defā' nakardam' (I did not defend) or 'defā' nemikonam' (I do not defend).

او نتوانست از حرف‌هایش دفاع کند.

Translation: He couldn't defend his words.

In advanced usage, the noun 'defā' can be modified by adjectives. For instance, 'defā-ye jānāneh' means a 'soulful' or 'heroic' defense. This shows how the compound structure allows for descriptive flexibility within the sentence.

چرا از او دفاع می‌کنی؟

Translation: Why are you defending him?

باید یاد بگیریم از خودمان دفاع کنیم.

Translation: We must learn to defend ourselves.

In contemporary Iran, دفاع کردن is ubiquitous in the media, particularly in political discourse. Iranian news outlets frequently use this term when discussing national sovereignty or regional conflicts. You'll hear phrases like 'دفاع از حقوق هسته‌ای' (defending nuclear rights) or 'دفاع از مظلومان' (defending the oppressed). This gives the word a strong patriotic and moral weight in public life.

News & Politics
Used to describe diplomatic stances and military readiness. It often carries a connotation of justice and resistance.

کشور حق دارد از تمامیت ارضی خود دفاع کند.

Translation: The country has the right to defend its territorial integrity.

Beyond the news, the word is central to the legal system. In any court proceeding, the 'vaki-e modāfe' (defense lawyer) is the person whose primary job is 'defā' kardan.' If you watch Iranian legal dramas or films, this word appears in almost every scene. It's also found in everyday debates; if someone feels misunderstood, they might say, 'Bezan az khodam defā' konam' (Let me defend myself).

او در جلسه‌ی پایان‌نامه به خوبی از طرحش دفاع کرد.

Translation: He defended his project well in the thesis session.
Everyday Conversation
Used when someone is being criticized or when explaining one's actions to family or friends.

لازم نیست همیشه از کارهای غلط او دفاع کنی.

Translation: You don't always have to defend his wrong actions.

In sports, especially football (the most popular sport in Iran), coaches will talk about 'defā' kardan' as a tactical necessity. You will hear fans shouting for the defense to hold strong. The word is so common that even children use it while playing games, shouting 'defā' kon!' to their teammates.

او از برادر کوچکش در برابر قلدرها دفاع کرد.

Translation: He defended his younger brother against the bullies.

شورای امنیت باید از صلح جهانی دفاع کند.

Translation: The Security Council must defend world peace.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is forgetting the preposition از (az). In English, we 'defend someone,' but in Persian, you 'defend FROM someone.' If you say 'Man doostam rā defā' kardam,' it sounds unnatural and grammatically incorrect to a native speaker. The 'az' is non-negotiable.

The 'Rā' Trap
Learners often apply 'rā' to the object of 'defā' kardan' because it's a direct object in English. Avoid this! Use 'az' instead.

❌ من وطنم را دفاع می‌کنم.

✅ من از وطنم دفاع می‌کنم.

Correction: Always use 'az' with defense.

Another mistake is confusing 'defā' kardan' with 'mohāfezat kardan' (to protect/conserve). While similar, 'mohāfezat' is usually used for physical objects, environment, or continuous guarding (like a bodyguard), whereas 'defā' is specifically about responding to an attack or criticism. You 'mohāfezat' a museum, but you 'defā' the museum if it's being looted.

او به جای دفاع کردن، فقط سکوت کرد.

Translation: Instead of defending, he just remained silent.
Conjugation Errors
Since it's a compound verb, ensure you are conjugating 'kardan' and not trying to change 'defā'. 'Defāidam' is not a word!

ما از حقوق خود دفاع خواهیم کرد.

Translation: We will defend our rights.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'modāfe' (defender). While related, it's a noun. Sometimes learners say 'Man modāfe' hastam' (I am a defender) when they mean 'I am defending' (Man dāram defā' mikonam). The verb form is much more common for the action itself.

چرا هیچ‌کس از او دفاع نکرد؟

Translation: Why did no one defend him?

باید از حقیقت دفاع کرد.

Translation: One must defend the truth.

Persian is rich with synonyms that vary based on intensity and context. While دفاع کردن is the most general term, others might be more appropriate depending on what you are trying to say. Understanding these nuances will make your Persian sound more sophisticated and natural.

حمایت کردن (Hemāyat kardan)
Meaning 'to support.' This is used when you agree with someone or provide help, but there isn't necessarily an attack you are repelling. Example: Supporting a charity.
محافظت کردن (Mohāfezat kardan)
Meaning 'to protect' or 'to guard.' This is more about keeping something safe from general harm or deterioration, like protecting a child or a historical building.

او از دوستش دفاع کرد، اما از نظر مالی او را حمایت نکرد.

Translation: He defended his friend, but he didn't support him financially.

For military or highly formal contexts, you might hear پاسداری کردن (pāsdāri kardan). This specifically refers to guarding or watching over something precious, like a border or a revolution. It has a more poetic and committed feel than the standard 'defā' kardan'. Another alternative is پشتیبانی کردن (poshtibāni kardan), which means 'to back someone up' or 'to provide backup'.

سربازان از میهن پاسداری می‌کنند.

Translation: The soldiers are guarding (safeguarding) the homeland.
نگهداری کردن (Negahdāri kardan)
Meaning 'to maintain' or 'to keep.' Used for pets, plants, or machinery. You wouldn't 'defā' a cat unless it was being attacked; you 'negahdāri' it daily.

وکیل باید به خوبی از موکلش دفاع کند.

Translation: The lawyer must defend his client well.

آیا کسی هست که از حقوق حیوانات دفاع کند؟

Translation: Is there anyone who defends animal rights?

او با قدرت از نظریه‌اش دفاع کرد.

Translation: He defended his theory with power.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

من از دوستم دفاع می‌کنم.

I defend my friend.

Uses present tense 'mikonam' and preposition 'az'.

2

او از توپ دفاع کرد.

He defended the ball.

Simple past tense 'kard'.

3

ما باید دفاع کنیم.

We must defend.

Modal 'bāyad' followed by the subjunctive 'defā' konim'.

4

آیا تو دفاع می‌کنی؟

Do you defend?

Question form in present tense.

5

سگ از خانه دفاع می‌کند.

The dog defends the house.

Third person singular present tense.

6

آن‌ها از شهر دفاع کردند.

They defended the city.

Past tense third person plural.

7

او خوب دفاع نمی‌کند.

He doesn't defend well.

Negative present tense 'nemikonad'.

8

بیا از خودمان دفاع کنیم!

Let's defend ourselves!

Imperative/Exhortative 'biyā' with subjunctive.

1

او همیشه از برادرش دفاع می‌کند.

He always defends his brother.

Adverb 'hamisheh' with present tense.

2

چرا از او دفاع کردی؟

Why did you defend him?

Question word 'cherā' with past tense.

3

ما از حقوق خودمان دفاع کردیم.

We defended our own rights.

Reflexive pronoun 'khodemān'.

4

او نتوانست از حرفش دفاع کند.

He couldn't defend what he said.

Negative 'natavānest' with subjunctive 'defā' konad'.

5

سربازان از مرز دفاع می‌کنند.

Soldiers defend the border.

Plural subject with present tense.

6

او از گربه‌اش در برابر سگ دفاع کرد.

He defended his cat against the dog.

Prepositional phrase 'dar barābar-e' (against/in front of).

7

باید یاد بگیری از خودت دفاع کنی.

You must learn to defend yourself.

Infinitive 'yād begiri' followed by subjunctive.

8

آن‌ها از تیم محبوبشان دفاع کردند.

They defended their favorite team.

Adjective 'mahoob' (favorite).

1

او فردا از پایان‌نامه‌اش دفاع می‌کند.

He is defending his thesis tomorrow.

Future intent expressed with present tense.

2

وکیل به خوبی از متهم دفاع کرد.

The lawyer defended the accused well.

Adverbial phrase 'be khoobi'.

3

دولت از آزادی بیان دفاع خواهد کرد.

The government will defend freedom of speech.

Formal future tense 'khāhad kard'.

4

او از نظر علمی از ادعایش دفاع کرد.

He defended his claim scientifically.

Adverbial phrase 'az nazar-e elmi'.

5

آیا می‌توانی از این تصمیم دفاع کنی؟

Can you defend this decision?

Ability 'mitavāni' with subjunctive.

6

آن‌ها از میراث فرهنگی خود دفاع می‌کنند.

They are defending their cultural heritage.

Compound noun 'mirās-e farhangi'.

7

او از حق رأی خود دفاع کرد.

He defended his right to vote.

Noun 'hagh-e ra'y'.

8

ما باید از محیط زیست دفاع کنیم.

We must defend the environment.

Modal 'bāyad' with first person plural subjunctive.

1

او با قدرت از مواضع خود دفاع کرد.

He defended his positions with strength.

Noun 'mavāze' (plural of position).

2

این سازمان از حقوق پناهندگان دفاع می‌کند.

This organization defends the rights of refugees.

Noun 'panāhandegān' (refugees).

3

نویسنده در کتابش از ارزش‌های انسانی دفاع می‌کند.

The author defends human values in his book.

Noun 'arzesh-hā-ye ensāni'.

4

او از شرافت خانواده‌اش دفاع کرد.

He defended his family's honor.

Noun 'sherāfat' (honor).

5

شورای امنیت از صلح جهانی دفاع می‌کند.

The Security Council defends world peace.

Compound noun 'solh-e jahāni'.

6

او در برابر انتقادها شجاعانه دفاع کرد.

He defended bravely against criticisms.

Adverb 'shojā'āneh' (bravely).

7

ما باید از قانون اساسی دفاع کنیم.

We must defend the constitution.

Noun 'ghānoon-e asāsi'.

8

او از استقلال کشورش دفاع کرد.

He defended his country's independence.

Noun 'esteghlāl' (independence).

1

فیلسوف از مبانی اخلاقی خود دفاع کرد.

The philosopher defended his ethical foundations.

Noun 'mabāni-ye akhlāghi'.

2

او از تمامیت ارضی کشور دفاع کرد.

He defended the territorial integrity of the country.

Formal term 'tamāmiyat-e arzi'.

3

او در مقاله‌اش از نظریه نسبیت دفاع می‌کند.

In his article, he defends the theory of relativity.

Academic context.

4

او از حریم خصوصی شهروندان دفاع کرد.

He defended the privacy of citizens.

Noun 'harim-e khosoosi'.

5

دفاع از آرمان‌های انقلاب وظیفه ماست.

Defending the ideals of the revolution is our duty.

Gerund-like usage of the noun 'defā'.

6

او از حق حاکمیت ملی دفاع کرد.

He defended the right of national sovereignty.

Formal term 'hagh-e hākemiyat-e melli'.

7

او با استدلال‌های منطقی از خود دفاع کرد.

He defended himself with logical arguments.

Noun 'estedlāl-hā-ye mantaghi'.

8

دفاع از مظلوم در فرهنگ ما ریشه دارد.

Defending the oppressed is rooted in our culture.

Noun 'mazloom' (oppressed).

1

او از پارادایم‌های حاکم بر علم دفاع کرد.

He defended the prevailing paradigms in science.

Loanword 'pārādāym' with Persian structure.

2

او از کیان خانواده در برابر ناملایمات دفاع کرد.

He defended the essence/sanctity of the family against hardships.

Literary word 'kiyān'.

3

او در رساله‌اش از هستی‌شناسی سنتی دفاع می‌کند.

In his dissertation, he defends traditional ontology.

Technical term 'hasti-shenāsi'.

4

او از مشروعیت نظام سیاسی دفاع کرد.

He defended the legitimacy of the political system.

Formal term 'mashroo'iyat'.

5

دفاع از هویت ملی در عصر جهانی‌شدن ضروری است.

Defending national identity is essential in the age of globalization.

Abstract concept 'jahāni-shodan'.

6

او از مبانی تئوریک جنبش دفاع کرد.

He defended the theoretical foundations of the movement.

Noun 'mabāni-ye te'orik'.

7

او از کرامت انسانی در برابر استبداد دفاع کرد.

He defended human dignity against tyranny.

Literary term 'kerāmat' and 'estebdād'.

8

او از ظرافت‌های هنری اثر دفاع کرد.

He defended the artistic nuances of the work.

Noun 'zarāfat-hā-ye honari'.

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